Developing novel catalytic solutions for N2O abatement

Abstract

Nitrous oxide – N2O - is a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential between 265 and 310. The production of nitric acid, a key intermediate in the production of nitrate-based crop nutrients, is the largest source of nitrous oxide in the chemical process industries, and without mitigation accounts for 50% of the total GHG emissions in nitric acid production.

Today’s presentation will describe the successful development of a catalyst for decomposing N2O in nitric acid production; through laboratory, pilot-plant and plant testing phases. The project target of achieving > 90% decomposition of N2O whilst having no undesired impact on the process and product and having a lifetime exceeding one year were met or exceeded. The catalyst is now installed in more than 100 nitric acid plants worldwide , with installations outside of Yara, carried out by Johnson Matthey.

Biography

Graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemistry, M.Sc. in Surface Chemistry. My PhD project, sponsored by the former ICI Agricultural Division, was an investigation the precursor structure – activity relationship of copper-based methanol synthesis catalysts. Post-doctoral positions at UCL, The Royal Institution and Imperial College followed. In 1998 I moved to Norway to join the Corporate Research Centre of Norsk Hydro to work on ion conducting membranes and catalysis. Yara International demerged from Hydro in 2004 and I followed this move. Today, I am Yara’s Chief Expert on Catalysis and Electrochemical Technologies. The latter role, based on my former work at Imperial College Materials and Yara’s ambition to transition to low emission fertilizer production through electrification of our hydrogen and ammonia production processes. Additionally, I am a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, with a focus on teaching industrial emission abatementand industrial nitrogen-based chemical production.

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